Sustainable garment clips

ABSTRACT

In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for a sustainable clip is shown and described. The sustainable clip may be formed from compressed board. The sustainable clip may be formed to provide a functionality that is the same or improved over known clips, while also decreasing manufacture cost and reducing waste associated with those clips.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 67/778,052 filed Dec. 11, 2018, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to garment clips. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to garment clips made fromone or more sustainable materials.

BACKGROUND

Clips used to secure and hold items in place or in desired positions arecommonly utilized and often referred to as garment clips. Such clips aretypically formed from metal, plastic, or some combination thereof due toknown manufacturing processes and relatively low cost of manufacture.The clips are then used in various combinations in the packaging ofapparel, such as shirts, in order to maintain the shirt and variouselements, such as collars, sleeves, and the body of the shirt itself ina folded position when packaged. These clips ensure the shirt can bepackaged, shipped, and either displayed by a store or opened by aconsumer in such manner that avoids damage to the shirt, keeps theelements of the shirt in a desired position, and provides uniformity andfamiliarity. Examples of such metal and plastic clips can be seen inFIG. 1.

However, these metal and plastic garment clips are typically utilized asingle time and, upon the opening or unpackaging of the shirt orapparel, are thrown in the trash or otherwise disposed of. In some rareexamples, these clips may be recycled. Further, with typical packaging,one or more metal clips and one or more plastic clips are commonly usedfor the packaging of every shirt (or other piece of apparel). However,the cost of these clips and the waste generated by them, in particularwaste plastic associated with the one-time use of the clips, needs to bereduced. What is needed, therefore, are more sustainable devices thatcan reduce waste, reduce or eliminate the need for the processing ofmetals and plastics in their formation, and be produced at a relativelylow cost.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for a sustainable clip is shownand described. The sustainable clip may be formed from compressed board.The sustainable clip may be formed to provide a functionality that isthe same or improved over known clips, while also decreasingmanufacturing cost and reducing waste associated with those clips.

According to some embodiments, an attachment mechanism for an articlecomprises at least one material, at least one exterior element, and atleast one movable element. In some embodiments, the at least onematerial comprises compressed board. In some embodiments, the at leastone exterior element comprises at least one opening. In someembodiments, the article is an article of clothing. In some embodiments,the article of clothing is a shirt and the attachment mechanism isconfigured to secure the shirt in a folded position. In someembodiments, the at least one exterior element and the at least onemovable element are constructed out of a sustainable material. In someembodiments, the attachment mechanism further comprises visual indicia.

In some embodiments, an attachment mechanism for an article comprises atleast one material comprising a compressed board material having aplurality of layers, at least one exterior element, and at least onemovable element. In some embodiments, the plurality of layers comprisesat least a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. In someembodiments, the at least one exterior element defines an outerperimeter, and the at least one movable element is located within theouter perimeter. In some embodiments, the outer perimeter is aquadrilateral. In other embodiments, the outer perimeter comprises anouter perimeter proximal end and an outer perimeter distal end, and theouter perimeter distal end is tapered. In some embodiments, each of theat least one movable element comprises a movable element proximal endand a movable element distal end, and each of the movable elementproximal end and the movable element distal end is tapered. In someembodiments, the movable element proximal end comprises a top half ofeach of the at least one movable element. In other embodiments, themovable element proximal end comprises a top third of each of the atleast one movable element. In still other embodiments, the movableelement proximal end comprises a top 25% or less of the at least onemoveable element.

According to other aspects of the present disclosure, a method of makingan attachment mechanism comprises the steps of providing a plurality oflayers, attaching the plurality of layers to one another to form acomposite material, and cutting the composite material into a shape ofthe attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, the plurality of layerscomprises at least two separate outer layers and an inner layer. In someembodiments, the attaching is done via lamination. In some embodiments,the cutting is done via a die cutter. In some embodiments, the cuttingcomprises cutting an exterior element in the composite material to formthe attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, an outer edge of theexterior element defines an outer perimeter of the attachment mechanism.In some embodiments, the cutting further comprises cutting a movableelement within the exterior element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. Thefollowing detailed description should be considered in conjunction withthe accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a view of existing metal and plastic garment clips;

FIG. 2 shows a view of sustainable garment clips;

FIG. 3A shows a views of the sustainable compressed board garment clipson a packaged shirt;

FIG. 3B shows an alternate view of the sustainable compressed boardgarment clips on a packaged shirt;

FIG. 3C shows an enhanced view of the sustainable compressed boardgarment clips on a packaged shirt;

FIG. 4 shows a cross section view of one embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 shoes a method of making the attachment mechanism of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description andrelated drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention.Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description,discussion of several terms used herein follows.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example,instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are notlimiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood thatthe described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms“embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do notrequire that all embodiments of the invention include the discussedfeature, advantage or mode of operation.

Generally referring to the figures, a sustainable garment attachmentmechanism, such as a clip used on an article such as, but not limited toapparel, is shown and described. The clip may be formed, in oneembodiment, out of compressed 100% PCW Kraft Paper board, which is paperor paperboard produced from chemical pulp produced in the kraft process,but is not limited to such and may be constructed using othersustainable materials known in the art. The kraft process is a processfor conversion of wood into wood pulp, which consists of almost purecellulose fibers, the main component of paper. The present inventionprovides increased manufacturing efficiency, lower cost, lower weight,improved performance, and less waste than known clips. The clip orattachment mechanism of the present invention can take on a variety ofdesigns, as set forth in the Figures for example.

The clip or attachment mechanism 200 when formed out of compressed boardmay be constructed out of one or more layers of paperboard. Whenmultiple layers of paperboard are used, the layers may be laminatedtogether. Generally stated, paperboard is a paper-based material that isgenerally thicker (usually over 0.30 mm, 0.012 in, or 12 points) thanpaper, and has certain superior attributes such as foldability andrigidity. Paperboard can also be easily cut (e.g., die cut) and formed,and is relatively lightweight. According to the InternationalOrganization for Standardization (ISO), generally stated, paperboard isa paper with a grammage above 250 g/m{circumflex over ( )}2 and may besingle- or multi-ply.

With respect to production, fibrous material may first be turned intopulp and bleached to create each of one or more of at least one innerlayer 402 and first and second outside layers or liners 401 and 403, ofthe board material (illustrated in FIG. 4). In some embodiments, one orboth outside liners 401, 403 can be coated for a better (e.g., smoother)surface and/or improved appearance. Pulp board is typically produced onpulping machines that can handle higher grammage and several plies.Multi-ply paperboard, such as that which may be contemplated by thepresent invention, generally has higher creasing and folding performancethan single-ply as a result of layering different types of pulp into asingle product. In cases where the same kind of pulp is being used intwo or more layers, each separate layer is treated and shapedindividually in order to create the highest possible quality

Referring now to FIG. 1, a prior art clip 100 is shown. As illustratedin FIG. 1, such clips that are presently available today in themarketplace are not generally constructed using a sustainable orrenewable material. Furthermore, there generally are not two separatepieces of the clip; rather, as illustrated, it is one continuous piecehaving a point of attachment in the center 101.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an attachment mechanism, which can also becalled a clip 200, is constructed out of a sustainable option, such ascompressed board. The plurality of attachment mechanisms or clipsillustrated in FIG. 2 can be formed in accordance with the productionand manufacture of other items formed from compressed board and may beformed without the inclusion of other materials, such as plastics andmetals. The clip can include at least one exterior element 216 and ininterior 210 element. The interior element 210 may be movable orflexible and may be coupled to one portion of the exterior element 216.For example, one side or edge of the interior element 210 may be coupledto one side or edge of the exterior element 216. The exterior element216 may be a quadrilateral. For example, exterior element 216 may besubstantially rectangular. It is envisioned, however, that other shapesmay be utilized for the exterior element 216 and it is not limited toany particular size or shape. In some embodiments, for example, one orboth of a proximal end and a distal end of the exterior element 216 maybe tapered.

In some embodiments, the interior element 210 may be formed in the shapeshown in exemplary FIG. 2, including at least one opening or hole 215formed in an area within a perimeter of the exterior element 216.However, it should be appreciated that other shapes may be utilized forthe interior element 210, which provides at least one point ofattachment to the exterior element 216 such that the interior element210 can flex fore and aft with respect to the exterior element 216. Themovable or flexible nature of the interior element 210 having at leastone point of attachment to the exterior element 216 can thus providesufficient force such that when clip 200 is disposed on or betweenelements of a shirt, for example, the clip 200 secures or pins apparelin various desired positions.

The present invention contemplates that the exterior element 216 may beformed from the same material as the interior element 210, but it alsocontemplated that both the interior 210 and exterior 216 elements can bemade from different materials. It is also contemplated that the interior210 and exterior 216 elements are constructed out of the same blend or adifferent blend of materials. Further, the clips presently set forth canbe manufactured in various fashions, for example increasing ordecreasing the thickness of one or both of the interior 210 and exterior216 elements. Such variations in thickness can provide variations intension and/or burst strength of the compressed board garment clips,which may be desired for different applications of the clips.

Referring now to exemplary FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the clip 300 may beshown in use. The clip 300 may be used to secure two sides of an apparelitem, such as a shirt, together, as shown in FIG. 3A, to secure a shirtin a folded position, as shown in FIG. 3B, to secure a sleeve and cuffportion together, as shown in FIG. 3C, and/or to secure other portionsof a shirt. Further, one or more of the clips 300 may be used togetherto secure the shirt in a folded or other desirable position forpackaging, along with helping to secure any other traditional packagingelements in place, such as paper inserts used to provide form orstructural integrity, or otherwise assist in maintaining a packagedshirt in a desired position.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a cross-section view of one embodiment of anattachment mechanism 400 is illustrated. In some embodiments of thepresent invention, the attachment mechanism 400 is constructed out of100% PCW (Post-Consumer Waste) Kraft Paper, as previously mentioned. Insome embodiments, the total thickness of the material or materials usedto construct the attachment mechanism 400, which in some embodiments iscompressed board if utilized as the sustainable/renewable source, is 126pt. It is contemplated that the board is not limited to one layer, butin some embodiments may comprise a plurality of layers. For example, theboard may comprise at least a first layer, a second layer, and a thirdlayer. In some embodiments, the board may comprise more than one innerlayer. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the material utilized may compriseouter layers 401, 403 having at least 400 p Kraft, and an inner layer402 having 1450 g Kraft. In some embodiments, more than one inner layermay be utilized, each of which may be 1450 g Kraft, or other suitableKraft board.

Once assembled, the attachment mechanism 400 may have a thickness ofbetween 70 and 140 points, or between 84 and 126 points, where 254points typically equates to one inch. Further, the ratios of thicknesswith respect to the various layers/liners of material as illustratedbest in FIG. 4 may be between 10-15% for each of outer liners 401 and403 and 70-80% for inner layer 402 in a three layer laminationconstruction. In a four layer lamination construction, the ratios ofthickness is preferably between 15-20% for each of outer liners 401, 403and 60-70% for both inner layers 402, where inner layers are of equal ordifferent thicknesses. Notwithstanding, the above ranges are offered asexamples and not limitations, and additional thicknesses and thicknesspercentages by layer/liner are also contemplated.

In one embodiment, first outer layer 403 may be comprised of a durablepaperboard such as 400 P Kraft board or 337 G Kraft board. Kraft boardcan be generally described as a strong virgin fiber board that is oftenclay-coated to receive printing or other ornamentation. Nonetheless, itis also contemplated that first outer liner 403 may be comprised ofother suitable fibrous materials such as fresh (virgin) sources (e.g.wood) or recycled waste paper. Other raw materials that may be usedinclude, but are not limited to, hardwoods, softwoods, recyclables, andother organic materials. For example, hardwoods such as birch tend tohave relatively short fibers that exhibit relatively high tensilestrength, but lower tear and other strength properties. Hardwood fiberstend to make for a stiffer product, and make a smoother paper that ismore opaque and better for receiving printing. By comparison, softwoodssuch as pine and spruce tend to have longer fibers that make forsuperior paperboard in applications where strength is important. Forexample, softwoods make excellent linerboard in corrugated cardboardcontainers. In the case of recyclables, used paper and paper productsare collected and sorted, and usually mixed with virgin fibers in orderto manufacture the recycled material. This is typically necessarybecause recycled fibers tend to lose strength when reused, and the addedvirgin fibers help to compensate for the loss of strength. Further,mixed waste paper is typically not deinked (skipping the deinking stage)for paperboard manufacture and therefore the pulp may contain traces ofinks, adhesives, and other residues, which together give it a grayishcolor. Products made of recycled board usually have a less predictablecomposition and poorer functional properties than virgin fiber-basedboards, and the addition of virgin materials helps to alleviate orcounterbalance some of these deficiencies.

One or both of the outer layers 401, 403 of the material utilized, suchas compressed board, may further comprise one or more coatings, such asa color optimizing agent, to improve the aesthetic characteristics ofthe material, and may be manufactured in a wide variety of differentshapes, sizes and configurations to suit user needs and/or preferences,or a particular product configuration.

Similarly, at least one inner layer 402 (or each inner layer 402 if aplurality of inner layers 402 are utilized) may be comprised of durablepaperboard such as 500 P Kraft board, 550 P Kraft board, 1450 GChipboard or the like, and second outer liner 401 may be comprised of adurable paperboard such as 400 P Kraft board, 337 G Kraft board or thelike. Further, first and second outer layers 401, 403 may furthercomprise one or more coatings to improve the color, smoothness and/orgloss of the first and second outer layers 401, 403. One or more coatingmay be comprised of one or more of the following: (a) a pigment, such aschina clay, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, or a combination of thesame; (b) an adhesive or binder as styrene-butadiene emulsions orstarches and water; and (c) an optical brightening agent.

The present disclosure also contemplates a method of making the clip orattachment mechanism presently set forth. In one embodiment, first amaterial, such as a compressed board material 500 is provided. Aspreviously discussed, the material may comprise a plurality of layerssuch that a material 500 having a first, second, and third layer areprovided, if a three layer construction is used to form the attachmentmechanism. It is important to note, however, that the present inventionis not limited to any number of layers. Secondly, the plurality oflayers are attached to one another by any means known in the art, suchas by lamination 510. The lamination process may include the use of oneor more adhesives to further secure the various layers and outsideliners, if utilized together and to add additional strength to theattachment mechanism. Laminate adhesives 156 may include, but are notlimited to, hot melt adhesives, water based adhesives, acrylics,epoxies, urethanes, etc. Next, the material, comprising a plurality oflayers, may be cut 520 by any means, such as by a die, laser, or rotaryanvil, in order to form the attachment mechanism. Lastly, the attachmentmechanism may be attached to an article, such as shirt (not shown).

In some embodiments, multiple sustainable and renewable compressed boardgarment clips can be used to substantially replace the use of existingclips. Currently it is customary to use at least three metal clips andone plastic clip or four plastic clips to pin or otherwise securelypackage a shirt. However, in accordance with exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein, the compressed board garment clips may be utilized inplace of the existing metal and plastic clips and provide the same orenhanced functionality.

When compared with existing garment clips, compressed board garmentclips may be formed completely without plastics or metals, thus reducingthe negative environmental impacts associated with those materials.Further, the compressed board garment clips can provide increasedrecyclability or, in events where the clips are disposed of after asingle use, increased biodegradability, providing significant benefitsover the prior art.

In still other exemplary embodiments, the compressed board garment clipsdescribed herein may be provided with visual indicia printed thereon.Due to the nature of compressed board, it is possible to print orotherwise provide visual indicia on the clips. As such, the clips,during or following the manufacture, could include wording or designs,such as branding, logos, websites, or other visual indicia, which wouldnot be possible or cost-effective on traditional metal or plastic clips.Further, the compressed board garment clips could be printed withvarious colors or other indicia to provide placement coding or drawattention to them for ease of consumer use.

In one embodiment the clip of the present invention may include a smallantenna that can be connected to an integrated chip forming a radiofrequency identification device (“RFID”) on the attachment mechanism.The present invention contemplates that a plurality of RFID devices maybe included on a clip. This can aid in providing inventory informationin a retail environment if applicable.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate theprinciples, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of theinvention. However, the invention should not be construed as beinglimited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additionalvariations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should beappreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An attachment mechanism for an article comprising: at least one material; at least one exterior element; and at least one movable element.
 2. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one material comprises compressed board.
 3. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one exterior element comprises at least one opening.
 4. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the article is an article of clothing.
 5. The attachment mechanism of claim 4, wherein the article of clothing is a shirt and the attachment mechanism is configured to secure the shirt in a folded position.
 6. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one exterior element and the at least one movable element are constructed out of a sustainable material.
 7. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, further comprising visual indicia.
 8. An attachment mechanism for an article comprising: at least one material comprising a compressed board material having a plurality of layers; at least one exterior element; and at least one movable element.
 9. The attachment mechanism of claim 8, wherein the plurality of layers comprises at least a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer.
 10. The attachment mechanism of claim 8, wherein the at least one exterior element defines an outer perimeter and the at least one movable element is located within the outer perimeter.
 11. The attachment mechanism of claim 10, wherein the outer perimeter is a quadrilateral.
 12. The attachment mechanism of claim 10, wherein the outer perimeter comprises an outer perimeter proximal end and an outer perimeter distal end, and wherein the outer perimeter distal end is tapered.
 13. The attachment mechanism of claim 10, wherein each of the at least one movable element comprises a movable element proximal end and a movable element distal end, and wherein each of the movable element proximal end and the movable element distal end is tapered.
 14. The attachment mechanism of claim 13, wherein the movable element proximal end comprises a top half of each of the at least one movable element.
 15. The attachment mechanism of claim 14, wherein the movable element proximal end comprises a top third of each of the at least one movable element.
 16. A method of making an attachment mechanism, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of layers; attaching the plurality of layers to one another to form a composite material; and cutting the composite material into a shape of the attachment mechanism.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of layers comprises at least two separate outer layers and an inner layer.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the attaching is done via lamination.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the cutting is done via a die cutter. 